Minutes

Present: P. Barry, M. Berliner, B. Clouette, E. Daniels, J. Gauthier, R. Hudd, R. Miller, AJ Pappanikou, L. Schilling, W. Simpson

Absent: A. Barberet, T. Callahan, C. Henry, E. Paterson, D. Pendrys

Staff: M. Hart, ~~Assistant to~~G. Padick

1. Opportunity for Public to Address the Committee

None

2. November 10, 2003 Meeting Minutes

AJ Pappanikou made a motion to approve the minutes from the November 10, 2003 meeting. Phil Barry seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

3. Update re: Mansfield Downtown Partnership

Martin Berliner reported that the Partnership had signed an agreement with Storrs Center Alliance, LLC, for that firm to serve as the master developer for the Storrs Center project. Storrs Center Alliance is a limited liability corporation comprised of a number of principals that have significant experience with town center and other development/redevelopment projects. (Storrs Center Alliance originally responded to the Partnership’s proposal under the name of “Leyland Alliance, LLC.”)

4. UConn Environmental Policy Initiative

Rich Miller presented an “Environmental Policy Update” (see attached outline for more detail). In his presentation, Rich covered the following subjects:

· Outreach activities

· Environmental policy organization and continuous improvement process

· Green building and low impact design categories

· Key considerations articulated at September 2003 open house

· Preservation defined

· Conversation defined

· Education/research defined

· Hazardous waste comparative site study

· Hazardous waste storage facility site location short list

· Proposed siting criteria

· How do you measure ecological, human or environmental risks?

· Consistency with UConn master plan, local and state plans

· Environmental impact evaluation analysis

· Environmental impact evaluation process

· UConn Environmental Policy Advisory Council

During his presentation, Rich responded to the following questions and comments:

[Hart] What stage is the university at with respect to the planning, do, check, act (PDCA) cycle? [Miller] The University is in the planning state.

[Barry] What is the subject of the hazardous waste comparative site study? [Miller] The current Hazmat facility is located on the East Campus, and the University has convened a nine-member advisory panel staffed by a consultant to locate a new facility. The panel is considering a portable facility as one option, and hopes to present a recommendation in June 2004. UConn will use an environmental impact evaluation analysis as part of this process.

[Clouette] The most important point to emphasize with respect to the hazardous waste comparative site study is the fact that the panel has identified a set of proposed siting criteria and that the University has scored potential sites against that criteria. Many people in the community have the perspective that the site is often identified beforehand without analysis. However, he is not sure that the University is presenting a consistent package, as the criteria appear to vary between sites. [Miller] The panel is trying to apply the criteria fairly. [Padick] The membership of the panel is quite independent and balanced. [Barry] The panel may be in a Catch 22 situation with respect to the potential location near Hunting Lodge Road. If the facility poses such a low risk, why not keep it at the current location? [Miller] It is difficult to obtain representation from the neighborhood.

Larry Schilling reported that there was no new information concerning the long-term monitoring and closure plan for the UConn landfill.

5. Substance Abuse Workgroup

Martin Berliner reported that Tom Callahan has been hosting the meetings of the workgroup. The group has met three to four times to consider the 12 recommendations from President Austin’s Task Force. The workgroup is still in a fact-finding phase, and plans to present an interim report soon.

6. UConn Spring Weekend

Martin Berliner stated that, from his perspective, the committee has broadened its focus beyond spring weekend to encompass year-round substance abuse and quality of life issues. Therefore, we should view this item in a larger context.

[Barry] The UConn board of trustees has asked the student life committee to look at rental housing issues. [Hart] mentioned that the town council had recently adopted an ordinance regulating the possession of alcohol by minors, and this ordinance will apply to private property.

[Pappanikou] Are zoning regulations applicable to student rental housing. [Berliner and Padick] Yes, but often it is difficult to get the courts to enforce zoning citations with respect to rental housing. However, the town is researching additional ordinances and regulations.

[Hudd] The town and university fire departments plan to conduct joint training in order to offer landlords voluntary inspections. [Clouette] Sometimes seemingly trivial items become real quality of life and safety issues.

7. 2004 Meeting Dates

Martin Berliner stated that the town would issue a revised schedule for the committee meetings in 2004.

8. Other Business

None

The committee adjourned the meeting at 5:25 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Matthew Hart

Minutes

Assistant Town Manager